April 22, 2012

  Do Good Always   

Luke 6: 6 - 11

AMBER ALERT :  Isabel Celis Age 6 MISSING from Tucson, AZ

PLEASE PRAY

Luke

On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching.  The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched closely to see whether Jesus would heal the man on the Sabbath, because they were eager to find some legal charge to bring against him.  But Jesus knew their thoughts.  He said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand here where everyone can see."  So the man came forward.  Then Jesus said to his critics, "I have a question for you.  Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm?  Is this a day to save a life or to destroy it?"  He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, "Reach out your hand."  The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!  At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.  

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Thoughts.....

Have you ever been in a church where there is back-biting, complaining, bitterness, people who want to control everyone else, everything, and 'act big', over-powering others and issuing mandates?  Or a church that demands you follow their doctrines and dogmas to the letter of the law?  This is what Jesus was up against.  HE was acting in the name and face of God.  The others believed more in the laws and following them than in the message that God is love and one's actions therein must express such.

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees were not God's ideal by Christian definition.  They knew Christ, but they did not accept him as the Messiah, certainly did not love him, nor would they anytime soon.  They felt he was a threat to everything they knew and understood.  They felt he was a threat to them....someone who could change their world, someone who might remove them from the positions of the 'power and authority' of the church.  Indeed, they were not THE power and authority! God was!!!  Somehow along the way, they got lost in why the rules, doctrines, dogmas and mandates were established....and for whom.  Yet, God issues no mandates.....love does not demand.  Love guides and directs, with choice.  You can choose to love the Lord with all your heart, your mind, your strength.....and your neighbor as yourself.  However, if you want to get to heaven, if you want to be forgiven of your sins, there is salvation in no other than Jesus Christ.  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.  Acts 4:12         

God is God 24/7.  Should we as Christians be any different?  NO!  This is not to say we are not human and therefore subject to error, but we should strive every moment to live as God, expressing his love and care and concern.  All other moments, ask forgiveness. 

Jesus came to give life, and give it abundantly.  In todays message we see him trying to teach that through his words and actions.  He did not want to hide his gifts under a basket, but chose to shine the light upon the gifts God had given him.  Not to bring attention to himself as a healer, but to parlay the message that at all times we are to step up in the name and face of God to do good for others.  It is yet another opportunity to bring glory to God.  Equally important, a time for someone to get to know God and Jesus....and to be healed.   

So here, Jesus is thrusting a miracle upon a man, and the folks in the synagogue.  He tells the man to stand so everyone can see what is about to occur.  Then he asks his critics if it is legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or if it is a day for doing harm...a day to save a life or to destroy it.  Ever wonder if all his questions are trick questions?  They are thought provoking.  'This is a test of the American Broadcast System'.  Remember that alert we used to get on radio and TV?  Jesus tests them, and us everyday.  Today we have an Amber Alert.  Will you do good today and pray for this little girl and her family, all those seeking her?  Please pray that she be safe and not be harmed....and that she be returned home alive.  Thank you.  They need a miracle, too.  Let's make this a day to save a life. 

Jesus looked at them one by one and then said to the man, "Reach out your hand."  He didn't yell out, "Be healed!"  He didn't indicate he laid hands on this man.  He didn't make a 'magic potion' of spit and mud and apply it as he did to someone else.  He merely told him "Reach out your hand".  Amazing.  The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!  It BECAME normal.  That implies that the mere act of doing as Jesus instructed caused a miracle to occur!

Here is something to think about:  What would your life be like today, right now, if you had done everything Jesus or God had told you to do along life's way?  Did you feel that slam dunk on your forehead...your heart?  I did.  Major crunch time.  I'm thinking it might be a good idea....no....a great idea.....to find more time to listen to him instead of going off and continually doing what 'we' think is best...or whining our way through it or after it.  Note that I have included myself in this message....as I always do, regardless of grammatical verbiage. 

So today, I believe Jesus is asking you to reach out your hand for him.  It's time to be 'normal' again.  I believe he has been waiting for you to meet him at the door of life, or enter that door again.  Perhaps the door has been swinging in the breezes and tempests of life and you've been hanging on....barely.  He's ready to heal you.  He wants a 'normal' relationship with you.  For you to be healed to 'normal'.  For conditions in your life to be 'normal'.  For your finances to be restored, the pain and sorrow in your heart to be removed.  For marriages and relationships to be right with God.  For children to live and all to be saved in his name, by his love. 

Don't let the enemies of life get in your way.  Let God and Jesus deal with the wild rage of Satan and his assigns as you reach out your hand to Jesus.  And all others who don't understand your new life.  Let all that is not of God leave your life, so that you may be filled with all the good and wonderful and loving things God wants to instill.  And then, do good always, everyday, in every way.

Show others Jesus in you.....that God IS love.  And that you've chosen to listen to God and Jesus regarding your life.  Don't think that because you are now going to listen to him that you have to instruct others to do as he is telling you.  Let them decide if they will listen to God and Jesus.  Directives for your life, may not be the same for another.  You listen to them for your life...let others listen to God and Jesus for theirs.  I say this because many times people choose to lord themselves and their actions over others, which is NOT the same as letting THE LORD guide and direct. 

Be sure it is the Lord's voice you are hearing.  You can know for sure if what you are hearing aligns with New Testament scripture.  We are under the new law...the new testament of Jesus Christ, not the old law...the old testament.  Although the Old Testament allows us an understanding of history before Jesus, and an understanding of who God is, his character and the introduction and importance of Jesus coming in fulfilment of prophecy, we are now under the new law, the New Testament regarding how to live our lives.  Jesus did fulfil prophecy...he was born, lived, died, was resurrected, arose to heaven. 

Ask Holy Spirit to come into your life, so you can better understand, hear, grow, and have guidance on how to live your new life, or renewed life.  The book of 1 John 2: 26-29 reads:  'I have written these things to you because you need to be aware of those who want to lead you astray.  But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you want is true.  For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true - it is not a lie.  So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.  And, now dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ, so that when he returns you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that God is always right, we also know that all who do what is right are his children.'

Do good always.                   

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Let Us Pray

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, right now I pray that you will be with Isabel and her family, Lord.  Keep her safe and help her get back to her family alive.  Reach into the mind of the person who has her and help that person to do the right thing from this point forward.  Help this person understand this situation does not have to end any more worse, or badly for anyone.  Let this person run and hide if necessary, but compel this person to return precious child, Isabel, or take her someplace safe, so someone else can help her get home.  Please be with all law enforcement, as they reach out for a miracle as well.  Lord hear my prayers....it is time for a miracle, Lord.  Please grant this family the miracle they need.  May everyone be on alert watching out to help Isabel.  In Jesus' name I pray, to dear Heavenly Father, God, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, there are people in churches and in the world that are ready to attack others for their beliefs, because they answer you rightly, because they want the control instead of you.  A great leader serves....they do not lord themselves or their ways over others.  They are not pushy.  Lord, you gave us your directives in Galatians 5, let me reference it to be reminded of how you don't want me to live, and how you do.  "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results:  sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic ativities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that eveyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkeness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.  Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."  I thank you, God for keeping me safe from all the evil that surrounds me.  Oh....so grateful.  And now, I will reference 'the good stuff'.  "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.  Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another."  Thank you, again, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, for leading me to your paths of righteousness for you, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and me....and those around me....and those I meet along life's way.  I am so grateful...so very very grateful.  Now help me to do good always.  Help me to learn more about you and how you lived your life, so I know how to best live mine.  If I am to emulate you, and I am....everybody who is a Christian is supposed to do this....I have a lot to learn, more to grow, and much to do.  You never said the journey would be easy, but you did say you would always be there with me on the journey.  So let the journey begin anew.  Stay REAL close.  Life gets in the way of hearing you sometimes.....oh.....help me hear you better......speak loud!  I've always heard, 'When God closes a door, he opens a window.'  Would you please just open the door for a change?  I'm getting really tired of having window moments.  And don't open too many doors....somedays I can't decide/or hear you as to which is the best door.  NO more negative surprises, okay?  PLEASE?!  Thanks.  I love you, Lord.  Thanks for doing all you did for me.....coming here, living at a fairly inconvenient time in world history (was there even chocolate?!), for dying for me......so that I may be forgiven of my sins and offered eternal life.  I bow down to you now.  I worship you.....I give you thanks.  I love you....I know you love me more.  Love Isabel most right now, please.  Thank you.  Amen.                         

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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